David Low Quotes

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."

This quote by David Low suggests that politics often involves seeking out problems (real or imagined) and then misdiagnosing their causes and inappropriately addressing them. It implies that politicians may manipulate situations to create a sense of crisis, blame others for these problems, and implement solutions that do not effectively address the root issues. This perspective criticizes political leaders for sensationalizing problems, failing to understand complexities, and pursuing short-sighted policies.

"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."

This quote suggests that wise individuals only speak when they have valuable or insightful information, as opposed to foolish ones who may feel compelled to talk excessively without thinking about the content or importance of their words. In essence, it emphasizes the quality over quantity in communication and indicates that one's wisdom is demonstrated by what they choose not to say.

"Democracy is the art of running the circus from the monkey cage."

David Low's quote, "Democracy is the art of running the circus from the monkey cage," is a metaphorical commentary on modern democratic societies. He suggests that in a democracy, citizens are like rowdy monkeys in a circus, while politicians, or those in power, are tasked with managing this chaos, much like running a circus. The quote implies that the complexities of modern democracy can sometimes feel chaotic and unpredictable, much like a circus, but it's up to the elected officials to keep things moving smoothly amidst the noise and commotion.

"The difference between England and New Zealand is that in England the sheep are shorn, and in New Zealand the politicians are."

This quote suggests a playful comparison between England and New Zealand, implying that the political leaders in New Zealand have a similar lack of direction or control as sheep being sheared, while in England, it's the sheep who are controlled (sheared). It's a satirical commentary on the perceived bureaucracy and indecisiveness often associated with politics, suggesting that New Zealand's politicians may be less effective or decisive than their counterparts in England.

"War is generally a mistake. It involves finding a group of people who can't shoot and inflicting terribly high death and injury on them with guns until most of them are dead. Then to make sure they stay dead you have to go back and shoot any of them who weren't quite dead."

This quote by David Low satirically highlights the tragic reality and futility of war. He emphasizes that wars often result in unnecessary suffering, targeting populations with limited military capabilities, leading to immense casualties. The irony lies in the fact that these groups are unable to defend themselves effectively but are still subjected to violence. Furthermore, the quote underscores the brutal nature of war, as victory is achieved by inflicting severe harm on the enemy until they are defeated, sometimes resulting in multiple attempts to ensure that the adversary doesn't recover. This quote serves as a reminder about the devastating human cost associated with war and encourages us to strive for diplomatic resolutions instead of resorting to violence.